Contest: What’s the Best Smartphone?

Posted on June 2, 2007 by Bruce Keener

Update: The contest ended without a winner, as no entries were submitted. However, I have noticed that some people have been searching for “what is the best smartphone for doctors?” This rang a bell in my memory and I searched the Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine archives to an article that gives the opinion of a doctor (and smartphone expert) who has tried out several different phones. (Unfortunately, the article is no longer available.) He recommended the Verizon i730 because of its screen size, good keyboard, keyboard or touchscreen input, one-handed operation, accommodates a lot of medical software, and so on. A good friend of mine has the i730 and a T-Mobile Dash, and loves both … he has often said that the i730 is a real workhorse.

————
There are so many Smartphones (including BlackBerrys) to choose from now that it is difficult for many of us to decide which one to get for our next phone.

So, I’ve decided to run a contest to see which is the best.

What’s in it for you?

A $25 check from me.

What do you have to do?

Provide in the comments section of this post the most compelling case you can for what you think the best Smartphone (or BlackBerry) is and why others, including me, would want to buy one. Your case can only be convincing if it is based on actual experience with the phone (that is, you actually use the phone). It would be excellent if you would describe your previous Smartphones and why you found them inadequate and why your current phone is better.

If you want to include a pictures of the device, please send your comments and pictures to me via brucekeener at gmail.com, because the pictures will not do well in the comments section. Also, use this method if you are going to link to other sites in your description, because the spam filter may swallow your comments depending on the link.

For all descriptions that are emailed to me, I will update this post to include those descriptions and any accompanying photos. (I may have to resize the photos to ensure they fit properly within this webpage.) I will also include your name in the updated entry (I will use your first name only unless you tell me to include your full name).

By the way, if you think I ought to just get the Palm Foleo when it comes out, and use it with my T-Mobile Dash, I am open to that suggestion. Just tell me why you think it is a good idea. I do actually love my Dash, and am seriously considering getting the Foleo to go along with it.

Why are we doing this?

  • This is a great way for all of us to learn from each other on a topic of interest to many.
  • I’ll be doing more traveling later this year and want a Smartphone that has great reception and that lets me do a lot of work (it might be okay if the latter requires that I use a portable keyboard with it, but it would be nice to not have to use one, at least most of the time.)

When is the contest over?

Friday, June 8 2007 at noon US Eastern time. I will announce the winner at 3:00 pm that same afternoon. The winner will have to provide me with his or her address so I can mail the check. Alternately, we can probably arrange a PayPal payment if you have a PayPal account.

How will I judge?

I will select based on what I think is the most compelling description and case presented. I will be influenced by comments from any of you who do not want to enter the contest but who want to leave a comment as to who you think has made the most compelling case (and why you think so).

Note that my current carriers are T-Mobile and Cingular (now AT&T). So, if your recommendation involves a switch to another carrier, give me an indication of why you think that is worthwhile, too.

Let the contest begin

Okay, the contest begins now. I think this has the potential to be a lot of fun as well as informative.

Share


 

This entry was posted in Gadgets. Bookmark the permalink.
  • pritchett4

    Why I didn’t respond to Smart Phone – I don’t use one – I use a Nokia 6103 with a Palm T3 and it meets my needs – so I had nothing to contribute on this topic – I do enjoy reading your blog.

  • http://www.keenerliving.com/ Bruce Keener

    Thank you much, pritchett4. For a long while, I used a Nokia along with either my Pocket PC or Palm and it was a good combo, still would be. It can be convenient to try to pack everything into one device, but there’s always a compromise, like small screen, small keyboard, etc, with a converged device. Maybe your way is the best.

    Thanks for the feedback on the blog. Let me know any time I fall short of what you expect of me.

  • http://www.dailyfreepress.com Matt

    I know it’s too late, but I recommend the BlackBerry 7130e. For its price ($200), it does what you need it to do. It is small and longer than most of the wider BlackBerrys, so it is easy to fit in my pocket. It is easy to use and has lots of options that let you customize to your needs. Lots of new phones have so many features that can be overwhelming, so I don’t really see why they are so glamorous — who needs all the bonus features on anything? Small and simple works for me.

  • http://www.keenerliving.com/ Bruce Keener

    Thanks, Matt. I appreciate the input, and I am still tossing around what to get (and whether I even need to get another smartphone). The BlackBerry’s are the most popular smartphones in the circles I have traveled in. They do tend to “get the job done,” as you indicate, and the pricing is better than a lot of the “higher end” smartphones. I sure haven’t ruled out a BlackBerry.

    Thank you again.